Lightwave user asking for Max help.

[LFShade]

Sometimes those axis constraints get to be a bit annoying. When you transform something with one of the handles on the transform gizmo, Max automatically sets the axis constraint to that axis, and doesn't reset the constraint when you're done using the gizmo. I really wish it wouldn't do that.

To make it behave more like LW, you can turn off the transform gizmo (using the x key), and make sure your axis constraints are cleared by pressing the button just after the X, Y, and Z buttons on the toolbar. It's probably labelled XY, but it's a flyout button so it might say something different depending on what it was last set to.

[AJ]

Here's a couple of keyboard shortcuts that can help you out too...

F5, F6, F7 = X,Y,Z respectivley
F8 = XY/YZ/XZ (cycles)
Space Bar = Lock selection, so you don't have to be right over the vert you're moving with the mouse.

There is a way to stop Max locking to your handle selection once you've let go - it involves editing the 3dsmax.ini file, I'll have a look for you when I get into work tomorrow.

[Lizard Head]

I use both MAX and LW, top of my head I think you can keep your transform Gizmo looking the same without pressing the X key but still disable the constraint to an axis feature in the 3DMAX.ini file..try changing the TransformGizmoRestoreAxis=0 feature from "0" to a "1" so it reads TransformGizmoRestoreAxis=1,,, re-boot max and you will have the transform gizmo but be able to move it as you want.


lizard*

[Joril]

Thanks for all the help so far, It's really helping me out. :thumbsup:

However, Max seems to have alot of bugs, I don't know what it is.
I'm having the worst time over here.

I work in OpenGL, maybe I shouldn't, and when i work in OpenGl, vertexes, shown as dots, are 1 pixel big. So what I did is uncheck that option so that the vertexes are shown as a little cross.
Now, this is another nerve-biter, sometimes after I do something, like converting a spline to an editable polygon, the crosses just dissapear!! :argh: So I have no idea where the verteces are after that happens, the only thing I can do is reboot Max.

That's not the only problem I'm having with OpenGl, I was cutting away and pulling some vertexes on a box just then when all of the sudden, my screen starts to lag, Max stops responding and all I can do is sit and wait while I'm biting my nails out of frustration.
Eventually the viewports went black, all I can do ... is reboot Max.
Is there a solution for all this?

Did someone put a voodoo curse on Max lately?

[Taoizm]

strange. I havn't run across those Ogl errors. What video card are you running?

[Joril]

Kyro chipset.
Hercules Kyro 4000XT card.

I'm stuck with heidi. Slow as hell. :annoyed:

[frog]

Have you tried forcing a screen redraw by pressing '1'?

[Joril]

I just induced a screen lock-up in ogl, which was very easy.
I pressed every button with a "1" on it. Suprisingly, it didn't work.

[edaddy]

customize/preferences/viewports/ show verticies as dots , the default is small dots, just check large dots. it should work, i had the same problem w/ openGL

[Joril]

the default is small dots, just check large dots. it should work.
I doesn't, I made a thread about that vertex problem before, no solution.
Actually I don't mind having a little cross instead of a dot. They should just stay visible and the viewports should not go black.

Noob question: Another thing what bothers me in max is when you mirror, lets say a face. How do you merge the 2 pieces into one "element"?
In lightwave you just mirror and thats that.

[Chris]

I generally just attach the two objects, select the join vertices & use the 'weld' button. I think there is a script at www.scriptspot.com that does this for you...

(if your finding it hard to select the correct vertices, get the meshtools script. That way, you could go in at the 'border' level, select the borders of the two attached objects, convert the selection to vertices & weld)

[Joril]

I hate to complain but I've been restarting MAX over and over again all evening long. I still have no idea why the vertex-crosses keep dissapearing in Ogl all the time.

Should I send an angry mail to Hercules? Would they be able to help me out?

[Joril]

I think the dissapearing thing has got to do with the refreshing of the viewports, yesterday I worked in perspective view all day and nothing dissapeared.

A couple more questions though.
I installed the meshtool 2.5 plug in, put them all into one Toolbar(you know, the dockable sort)
But when the toolbar is visible almost all the meshtool functions are greyed out. No matter what sub-object I have selected.
:shrug:
Any thoughts on how I can fix this?

[visualboo]

meshtools only work in poly mode.... so just convert your mesh to poly.

ummm...

I use the collapse function to weld vertices. there's no number to adjust. It will just collapse all vertices selected to just one.

I dont know what to tell you about the axis constraints. It actually bothers me the way LW works with that, but that's just my opinion. Just keep doing it the way max does and you'll get used to it.

I've never had any of those OGL probs... I think it's your card... maybe drivers.

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